Pets Allowed in Nursing Homes

kaslkaos · 09-01-2011, 10:28 AM

Just really wanted to let folks know that you might be allowed to bring your pet dog to visit friends and relatives in nursing homes.
My mom-in-law is in one now, and having our dog Dynamo visit was always a highlight. One thing we could promise her, was that she would still be able to see Dynamo in the home.
Dynamo is not a trained certified therapy dog, but the nursing homes have a mandate to be a 'home' to the residents, so pet visitors are allowed. Also, walking a dog through the hallways also makes the day for a lot of other residents. They hold out their hands or call her over, some of them know her by name. There is a lady who has enormous difficulty speaking and rarely does, but she manages Dy-na-mo even it takes awhile.
Before all this happened, I thought only certified therapy dogs were allowed in, so I just really wanted to pass the info on, and let you know that even ordinary pet dogs can really make people in long term care happy, and many staff members like the dogs too.
Our local hospital allows family pets to visit in the rehabilitation ward too. So it's always worth asking.
And here she is hard at work...https://picasaweb.google.com/1001725...96928276125954

Miikkas mom · 09-01-2011, 10:35 AM

When my dad was in a "rehab center", i.e. nursing home, I brought both his dog and my dog there to visit him...almost daily. He loved it as did some of the other patients there.

DCluver33 · 09-01-2011, 10:38 AM

huh I wonder if this is true for the US, as far as I know dogs have to be certified therapy dogs to be allowed in nursing homes ( in the US, but I could be wrong). I know when my grandpa was in a nursing home I had to sneak my dogs in because they weren't allowed because they weren't certified therapy dogs.

Miikkas mom · 09-01-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCluver33

huh I wonder if this is true for the US, as far as I know dogs have to be certified therapy dogs to be allowed in nursing homes ( in the US, but I could be wrong). I know when my grandpa was in a nursing home I had to sneak my dogs in because they weren't allowed because they weren't certified therapy dogs.

No, its not true. Neither of my dogs are certified. Both went to visit my dad nearly everyday. No one (staff at nursing home) said a word to me about bring the dogs. I always walked right in the front door and down the halls to my dads room.

Josie/Zeus · 09-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Nursing homes should allow pets, the only thing that I can think of that would restrict this is some people are allergic to pet dander-

Zeus loved visiting nursing homes, he loved all the attention and loving he got.

DCluver33 · 09-01-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miikkas mom

No, its not true. Neither of my dogs are certified. Both went to visit my dad nearly everyday. No one (staff at nursing home) said a word to me about bring the dogs. I always walked right in the front door and down the halls to my dads room.

huh then it must have just been the nursing home my grandpa was in then. I tried going through the front door and they said my dogs weren't allowed because they weren't certified

.

PaddyD · 09-01-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCluver33

huh I wonder if this is true for the US, as far as I know dogs have to be certified therapy dogs to be allowed in nursing homes ( in the US, but I could be wrong). I know when my grandpa was in a nursing home I had to sneak my dogs in because they weren't allowed because they weren't certified therapy dogs.

There are some nursing homes and hospices in the US that allow non-certified dogs. Just call ahead and ask.

kaslkaos · 09-01-2011, 11:15 AM

Maybe it depends on the nursing home. We asked staff before we did this. The hospital specified rehab ward only, and that we bring vaccination documents along.
The nursing home just required up-to-date vaccinations. I'm guessing it depends on the nursing home, and if the dog isn't calm, they might say something. 'pets allowed' is a question on the official long-term care checklist (for people looking for ltc for themselves or relatives), It's something to consider in advance.
Just saw this was moved to the working dogs forum. Which is a little too bad, as the point really is that your ordinary uncertified family pet may be able to spread some joy to your mum, grand-dad, etc...I just hope lots of people know that, because the old folks & younger disabled folks really like the dog visits, and many people going into long-term care would surely feel a bit better if they knew they would still be able to see their pet.
The nursing home has a resident cat named Diva, exotic finches and gold fish too, not to mention the nesting robins in the courtyard.

Davey Benson · 09-01-2011, 05:45 PM

I will probably always remember the day I took my border collie to hospice to visit my mom. (she was her favorite dog). All the office needed was a clean bill of health from my vet clinic, which they produced for me from their computer, and for her to be onleash. I'm glad I got to have that experience. It's something the home really didnt advertise, but for so many people animals are a big part of their life and family. I also agree, this doesn't pertain to Working animals, but for any fur covered family member. It never hurts to ask.

AbbyK9 · 09-02-2011, 02:41 AM

It varies between nursing homes. Some will allow any pet dog. Others require that your dog has at least a CGC. Others only allow Therapy Dogs. So it's best to call them and ask what is allowed.

From the point-of-view of a Therapy Dog handler, it always concerns me when facilities allow pet dogs to visit, due to the obvious concerns for dog and people safety.

Not every dog does well around strangers, even if they're perfectly fine with the family bringing them or the person they are visiting. Some may not like being handled by other residents or may respond the wrong way to being grabbed, rubbed, etc. (I've noticed a lot of older folks like to pet/rub Shepherd ears in particular and not all dogs like that.)

I'd also be concerned if several family pets are visiting at the same time or a family pet is visiting at the same time as a Therapy Dog team. Therapy Dogs have to be good around other dogs but a lot of pets aren't. And TD handlers have to be super aware of their dogs at all times but a lot of pet owners aren't and don't pay attention.

Just some things to think about from a TD handler point of view and as someone who's had her dog lunged at / barked at by visiting (non-TD) pets.

09-01-2011, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
kaslkaos Master Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville Ontario Canada Posts: 620	Pets Allowed in Nursing Homes Just really wanted to let folks know that you might be allowed to bring your pet dog to visit friends and relatives in nursing homes. My mom-in-law is in one now, and having our dog Dynamo visit was always a highlight. One thing we could promise her, was that she would still be able to see Dynamo in the home. Dynamo is not a trained certified therapy dog, but the nursing homes have a mandate to be a 'home' to the residents, so pet visitors are allowed. Also, walking a dog through the hallways also makes the day for a lot of other residents. They hold out their hands or call her over, some of them know her by name. There is a lady who has enormous difficulty speaking and rarely does, but she manages Dy-na-mo even it takes awhile. Before all this happened, I thought only certified therapy dogs were allowed in, so I just really wanted to pass the info on, and let you know that even ordinary pet dogs can really make people in long term care happy, and many staff members like the dogs too. Our local hospital allows family pets to visit in the rehabilitation ward too. So it's always worth asking. And here she is hard at work...https://picasaweb.google.com/1001725...96928276125954 __________________ Ingrid http://kaslkaos.blogspot.com/ Dynamo RNMCL gsd, born June 02? R.I.P. Zandor gsd-mix born 1993?-2009 Cats: Archer, Lennier, Riker

09-01-2011, 10:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Miikkas mom Master Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 827	When my dad was in a "rehab center", i.e. nursing home, I brought both his dog and my dog there to visit him...almost daily. He loved it as did some of the other patients there. __________________ Momma to: Miikka, 2-year old F Black & Red WGSL Scout, 5 year F calico cat Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge: Bella, 15 yr old GSD/Chow chow mix Annie, 16 yr old Black Cocker Spaniel Socks, 15 yr old Tuxedo cat

09-01-2011, 10:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
DCluver33 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,530	huh I wonder if this is true for the US, as far as I know dogs have to be certified therapy dogs to be allowed in nursing homes ( in the US, but I could be wrong). I know when my grandpa was in a nursing home I had to sneak my dogs in because they weren't allowed because they weren't certified therapy dogs. __________________ ~Steph~ Dodger 3 yr old GSD (6/23/08) Molly 13 yr old Border Collie/Aussie Mix (7/4/98) RIP my Angel: Chopper 17 yr old Border Collie (10/1/94-12/30/10) fruit good, cake great, fruitcake nasty crap ~ Jim Gaffigan

09-01-2011, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Josie/Zeus Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: DFW TX Posts: 1,846	Nursing homes should allow pets, the only thing that I can think of that would restrict this is some people are allergic to pet dander- Zeus loved visiting nursing homes, he loved all the attention and loving he got. __________________ Alta Tollhaus "Koda" 3/18/11 currently training in PSA Rest in Peace my boys Zeus 2000-2009 Odin 2010-2011

09-01-2011, 11:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
kaslkaos Master Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville Ontario Canada Posts: 620	Maybe it depends on the nursing home. We asked staff before we did this. The hospital specified rehab ward only, and that we bring vaccination documents along. The nursing home just required up-to-date vaccinations. I'm guessing it depends on the nursing home, and if the dog isn't calm, they might say something. 'pets allowed' is a question on the official long-term care checklist (for people looking for ltc for themselves or relatives), It's something to consider in advance. Just saw this was moved to the working dogs forum. Which is a little too bad, as the point really is that your ordinary uncertified family pet may be able to spread some joy to your mum, grand-dad, etc...I just hope lots of people know that, because the old folks & younger disabled folks really like the dog visits, and many people going into long-term care would surely feel a bit better if they knew they would still be able to see their pet. The nursing home has a resident cat named Diva, exotic finches and gold fish too, not to mention the nesting robins in the courtyard. __________________ Ingrid http://kaslkaos.blogspot.com/ Dynamo RNMCL gsd, born June 02? R.I.P. Zandor gsd-mix born 1993?-2009 Cats: Archer, Lennier, Riker Last edited by kaslkaos; 09-01-2011 at 11:20 AM.

09-01-2011, 05:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Davey Benson Master Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: KS Posts: 508	I will probably always remember the day I took my border collie to hospice to visit my mom. (she was her favorite dog). All the office needed was a clean bill of health from my vet clinic, which they produced for me from their computer, and for her to be onleash. I'm glad I got to have that experience. It's something the home really didnt advertise, but for so many people animals are a big part of their life and family. I also agree, this doesn't pertain to Working animals, but for any fur covered family member. It never hurts to ask. __________________ "outside of a dog a book is mans best friend, inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx Last edited by Davey Benson; 09-01-2011 at 05:47 PM.

09-02-2011, 02:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
AbbyK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: North Country, NY Posts: 12,442	It varies between nursing homes. Some will allow any pet dog. Others require that your dog has at least a CGC. Others only allow Therapy Dogs. So it's best to call them and ask what is allowed. From the point-of-view of a Therapy Dog handler, it always concerns me when facilities allow pet dogs to visit, due to the obvious concerns for dog and people safety. Not every dog does well around strangers, even if they're perfectly fine with the family bringing them or the person they are visiting. Some may not like being handled by other residents or may respond the wrong way to being grabbed, rubbed, etc. (I've noticed a lot of older folks like to pet/rub Shepherd ears in particular and not all dogs like that.) I'd also be concerned if several family pets are visiting at the same time or a family pet is visiting at the same time as a Therapy Dog team. Therapy Dogs have to be good around other dogs but a lot of pets aren't. And TD handlers have to be super aware of their dogs at all times but a lot of pet owners aren't and don't pay attention. Just some things to think about from a TD handler point of view and as someone who's had her dog lunged at / barked at by visiting (non-TD) pets. __________________ Malinois Ronja - fastest K-9 in VT =^^= Finn, Ratchet & Ollie Blog - Facebook - Store

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement